Suitcase comprising mounted pockets

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a suitcase ( 1 ) comprising two metal or plastic shells ( 3, 5 ) that are hingedly connected to each other and can be locked on frame elements ( 9 ) by means of a locking device ( 7 ), said frame elements ( 9 ) being located on edges of the suitcase shells. At least one main area ( 11 ) of the suitcase shells ( 3, 5 ) is provided with an embedded cavity ( 13 ) inside which at least one pocket ( 15 ) is fixed via a base plate ( 17 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to a suitcase as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

Such shell suitcases, whose case shells are preferably made of plastic material or metal and which are hinged together at one edge of the case shells, are known.

Frame elements are provided at the edges of the case shells, which have a closing means for closing the suitcase. Further, suitcases with two case shells are known that have a zipper as the closing means. The zipper may additionally be provided with a lock.

Further, suitcases are known that are made of textile material. They may be provided with additional, easily accessible side pockets on their outside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a suitcase of the type mentioned above which is made of strong shells and additionally has pockets attached on the sides.

The object is achieved according to the invention by providing at least one major surface of the case shells with a countersunk trough-shaped recess in which at least one pocket is fastened over a base plate. The trough-shaped recess may be formed, for example, by deep drawing during the manufacture of the case shell. The invention advantageously allows to provide a strong shell suitcase having easily accessible pockets on the outside.

Thus, it is possible to store e.g. travel documents or other travel implements in an easily accessible manner without having to open the complete suitcase.

Preferably, it is provided that the at least one pocket has a major surface facing the case shell fastened on the outside of the base plate via a base layer. The base layer folds around the edges of the bas plate such that the edges of the base layer are invisible after the base plate is set into the recessed case shell. Thus, it is possible to fasten the pockets to the suitcase in a strong manner and to still give the suitcase an optically appealing exterior. The base layer may be of the same material as the at least one pocket and/or may be part of the pocket.

In an alternative embodiment, the base plate may also be part of the pocket.

Preferably, the pocket is made of a textile material or flexible plastics. Thus, the unfilled pocket is easy to compress and does not require too much space.

At least two rollers are affixed to the major standing surface of the suitcase.

Preferably, the suitcase is designed as a trolley.

The base plate may be glued in the recess or sewn with the case shell in the recess, preferably together with the base layer and/or the pocket. This ensures a strong fastening of the pocket to the case shells, which moreover means little production effort.

The case shells may be made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy or polycarbonate.

The frame elements of the suitcase may be made of plastics material or metal and may be designed as a rand ribbon sewn to the edge of the case shells together with a zipper as a closing means.

Preferably, the at least one pocket has at least one pocket opening adapted to be closed with at least one closing means, preferably a zipper.

Hereunder, embodiments of the invention will be detailed with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the suitcase according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section through the case shell with an attached pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a suitcase 1 with two case shells 3, 5 hinged together at the bottom of the suitcase 1 so as to be able to open the shell case 3 illustrated as the front one in FIG. 1. The edge of the case shells 3, 5 is provided with a closing means 7 in the form of a zipper which is sewn to the edges of the case shells 3, 5 together with a frame element 9 formed by rand ribbons.

The embodiment illustrates a suitcase 1 with shell parts 3, 5 of different sizes. The smaller case shell 3 has a countersunk recess 13 in its major surface, in which a base plate 17 is fastened. The outward directed face of the base plate 17 is covered by a base layer 19. The base layer 19 is folded around the edges of the base plate 17. In this embodiment, three pockets 15 are fastened on the base layer.

In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the base layer 19 may be part of the pocket. It is also possible that the base plate 17 is a part of the pocket 15.

At two neighboring corners of the major standing surface 21 of the suitcase 1, rollers 23 are provided such that the suitcase is adapted to trail behind a user pulling it. The embodiment illustrated illustrates the suitcase 1 designed as a trolley so that it stands upright on the major standing surface 21. It is self-understood that the suitcase may also be of another design.

In the embodiment illustrated, the three pockets 15 each have at least one pocket opening that, when the suitcase 1 stands on the major standing surface 21, are located in the respective upper portions of the pockets 15. The openings can each be closed with a zipper 30.

FIG. 1 illustrates a suitcase wherein the case shells 3, 5 have a groove structure perpendicular to the major standing surface 21, whereas the pockets 15 have a groove structure horizontal to the major standing surface 21. It is understood that the suitcase 1 may also have another groove structure or none at all.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the case shell 3 together with one of the pockets 15. The pocket 15 is sewn onto the base layer 19. The base layer 19 is fastened to the base plate 17 and folded around the edges of the base plate 17. Together with the base layer 19, the base plate 17 is glued into the recess 13 of the case shell 3. It is understood that the base plate 17 may also be riveted, sewn or otherwise fixed to the case shell 3. 

1. A suitcase (1) comprising two case shells (3, 5) of metal or plastics material hinged together, the case shells (3, 5) being adapted to be closed by means of a closing means (7) on frame elements (9) arranged at the edges of the case shells (3, 5), characterized in that at least one major surface (11) of the case shells (3, 5) comprises a countersunk recess (13) in which at least one pocket (15) is fastened through a base plate (17).
 2. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the at least one pocket (15) has a major surface facing the case shell (3), which surface is fastened to the outside of the base plate (17) through a base layer (19), and wherein the base layer (19) folds around the base plate (17) at the edges.
 3. The suitcase of claim 2, wherein the base layer (19) is made of the same material as the at least one pocket (15) and/or is part of the pocket (15).
 4. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the base plate (17) is part of the pocket (15).
 5. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the pocket (15) is made of a textile material or flexible plastics.
 6. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein at least two rollers (23) are fastened at the major standing surface (21).
 7. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the suitcase is designed as a trolley case.
 8. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the base plate (17) is glued into the recess (13) or is sewn or riveted to the case shell (3) in the recess (13), preferably together with the base layer (19) and/or the pocket (15).
 9. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the case shell (3, 5) is made of aluminum, and aluminum alloy or polycarbonate.
 10. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the frame elements (9) are made of plastics material or metal.
 11. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the frame elements (9) are made of a rand ribbon sewn to the edge of the case shells (3, 5) together with a zipper as a closing means (7).
 12. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the at least one pocket (15) has at least one opening that may be closed by means of at least one closing means (30), preferably a zipper. 